Investment decision expected at end-2022 on establishing nat'l container operator via NSR - Chekunkov
MOSCOW. June 7 (Interfax) - The investment decision on the project to establish a Russian container operator for transporting goods via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is planned to be taken in the fourth quarter of 2022, Russia's Far East Development Minister Alexei Chekunkov has told Interfax.
"The project is at the pre-investment stage of pilot operation, possibly with the start of navigation in 2025. The final investment decision is planned to be taken in the fourth quarter of 2022," Chekunkov said.
"Nearly all of the shipping companies to one degree or another have shown interest in container transportation along the NSR; however, as expected, we have seen the greatest interest from partners in Asia," Chekunkov said.
There were previous reports that a company of Rosatom state corporation had begun to develop a feasibility study on establishing a Russian container operator along the NSR. The project envisages establishing a container line and hub ports for transiting goods along the NSR.
Rosatom is counting on the Northern Sea Route by 2035 to become the base unit in a competitive international and national maritime transport corridor.